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Banded Coral Shrimp
(Stenopus hispidus)
The banded coral shrimp is distinguished by its colorful red or purple bands and its large claws. This shrimp is very popular among marine aquarium hobbyists. It is nocturnal, and scavenges the reef at night in search of scraps of food. They will also occasionally clean parasites from fish. |
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Anemone Shrimp
(Periclimenes brevicarpalis)
The anemone shrimp is a small transparent species that is often found living within the stinging tentacles of sea anemones. They usually grow to about one inch in length. Anemone shrimps can sometimes be found sharing a large anemone with one or more clownfish or anemone crabs, where they feed on scraps. |
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Photo © Alex Kerstitch
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Blood Shrimp
(Lysmata debelius)
The blood shrimp gets its name from its dark blood-red color. The red color appears black underwater, helping this shrimp to hide from predators. The bright colors of this species make it a desirable but expensive addition to the home aquarium. They are found in the waters of the Indian ocean. |
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Photo © Alex Kerstitch
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Harlequin Shrimp
(Hymerocera elegans)
The harlequin shrimp is a rather bizarre-looking creature. But even more bizarre than its looks is the shrimp's diet. The harlequin feeds solely on starfish. It will flip the starfish over and feed on its vulnerable underside. The bright colored spots help the shrimp to blend in with the background. |
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Slipper Lobster
(Scyllarides nodifer)
This species of lobster is characterized by the fact that is has no antennae. Instead it has hard well-developed plates around its head. The slipper lobster uses these to dig through the sand in search of food. It is a scavenger and feeds on small crustaceans, worms, and just about anything else it can find. |
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